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Homestead
Microfilming Project
Richard Edwards
Senior Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs
University
of
Nebraska
Kay Walters
University Libraries
University
of
Nebraska
Abstract:
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Homestead National
Monument of America (HOME) agree to join in a joint project to
produce preservation microfilm of the Homestead Land-Entry Case
Files, Homestead Final Certificates, and Cash Entries files from
Broken Bow,
Nebraska
, Land Office.
The project will result in one service copy owned by each
UNL and HOME as well as a name index for these files.
The records to be copied via this project currently exist
on original acid-based paper and are stored in the National
Archives building in
Washington
,
DC
.
No other copies currently exist.
Scholars, historians, genealogists and the visiting
public may access these records at the Archives’
Washington
facility.
However, many visitors to HOME are residents of the
Midwest
and West and are descended from homesteading ancestors.
By placing microfilmed copies of these case files at
HOME, these visitors will finally be able to research their
ancestors as part of their visit to the Monument rather than
traveling an additional 1,300 miles to Washington, DC.
Having the records stored at the Monument will also
permit it to finally live up to the letter and spirit of its
enabling legislation. Lastly,
having copies on file at UNL will be of great benefit to already
outstanding research university.
The University’s own scholars will have immediate and
perpetual access to a body of records that is, by the admission
of the National Archives and Records Administration, one of the
most valued yet underused of all those for which that agency
cares. Lastly,
microfilm copies will ensure that these extremely valuable
records will be forever available to all interested parties.
The microfilm rolls produced during the course of this
project will be serviceable long after original paper records
have turned to dust. This
aids the National Archives and Records Administration just as
much as it does UNL, HOME, and the general public.
Funding Agency: The
National Park Service
Modification #: J6480030413
$20,000
Mod 0001/0002: No cost extensions
Effective
Dates:
August
1, 2003
through
March
31, 2005
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